Casting-machine for elements of printing-forms.



A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. 1914.

Lggg m 59 Patented Apr; 10, 1917.

1 SHEETS-SHEET l.

A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. I914. 1,22%41 5n Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

ISHEETS-SHEET 2.

A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. 1914.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

1 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT- 3, 19M.

Patented Apr, 10, 1917.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. I914.

Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

TSIIEETS-SHEET 5.

1 231/ 5 q QN M will f/W/ In Na Wm .i q

A. L. KNIGHT.

CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3. 1914.

LQQQAII. 5, Patented Apr. 10, 1917.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

Patented Apr. 10-, 1917.

TSHEETS-SHEET 7.

awuemtoz mu w W W I kw A. L. KNIGHT.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 3.1914.

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CASTING MACHINE FOR ELEMENTS 0F PRINTING FORMS.

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ASSIGNOE TU i 1 'EWN FtWEt'U- $YLVANIA, A. GWIFTT measles. L

Specificati ers Patent.v Patented Apt, 1W9, that.

Application filed October 3, 19M. Serial Ito. aeacec.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, Amos L. KNIGHT, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvama, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Casting-Machines for Elements of Printing Forms; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, and to the figuresaand letters of reference marked thereon.

lhis invention relates to apparatus for casting elements of printing forms such as rules, leads, quads, type, etc., and the apparatus adopted for illustrating the invention is one designed more especially for use 1n. connecting with a monotype casting machine,

for example, the machine set forth and described in Letters Patent No. 625,998, granted to J. S. Bancroft, May 30, 1899. In the machine illustrated, the mold, matrix carrier, and centering mechanism of the patented machine have been omitted andthe mechanism of the present invention substituted, as will hereinafter appear, but it will be understood that the invention may be incorporated in a machine designed for the special function of casting elements of printing forms without having incorporated therein the refinements of mechanism embodied in the monotype casting machine for producing accurately justified lines of type, and therefore the present invention is susceptible of embodiment inja comparatively simple machine.

The principal objects to be accomplished are first the casting of the elements in indeterminate lengths adapted to be subsequently severed to form lines, rules 01' leads of the desired length for any particular printing form, and secondly, to permit of, the casting of such elements free from cavities or defects, and of accurately proportioned dimensions to correspond either to the point size of the elements composing the form, or to hear such relation to the same that the elements of the form may be locked up without permitting of any looseness or play of the elements. Other objects of the invention are to provide mechanism which will produce the elements in indeterminate lengths economically and from molten metal such as is commonly employed in the type casting art for casting type characters and commonly known as type-metal, thus putting it within the capacity of the ordinary printing estab-.

lishment to produce all of the elements entering into the printing form at such time as the same mav be needed and of proper size as to fit the work in hand. Referring to the accompanying drawa" Figure 1 is a top plan view of an apparatus embodying the present improvements, certain of the parts being broken away, and some of the parts of the monotype machine used in connection therewith being shown in conventional outline.

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of the major portion of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the mold and its associated parts, separate from the machine.

Fig. 4 is a top plan view of the same.

Fig. 5 is an elevation looking at the rear side of the mold and associated parts shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the front type block.

Fig. 7 is a similar view of the rear type block.

Fig. 8 is a sectional view in a plane longitudinally of the mold and substantially on the line 8--8 of Fig. 9.

Fig. 9 is a transversesection substantially on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is an elevation looking at the left hand end of the mold and associated parts shown in Figs. 3 and 8, but omitting the mold blade operating bar.

Fig. his a detail top plan view of a portion of the mold showing, the matrix, matrix locating plate and matrix abutment.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the mold blade and gate pusher employed for the casting of printers rules.

Fig. 13 is a perspective view of the gate pusher separate from the mold blade.

Fig. l lis a detail section substantially on the line l t-14 of Fig. 4:.

Fig. 15 is a section in a horizontal plane,

with the parts shown in amore or less diagrammatic manner, through the mold and associate parts to illustrate the operation of the mold blade and cutter.

Figs. 16 and 17 are diagrammatic illustrations of a ortion of-a printers rule and the mold bla e which cooperates therewith to advance the rule and to form the space for the reception of succeeding increments of molten metal.

Fig. 18 is a view corresponding to Fig. 12 shogvmg a mold-blade for forming printers ea s.

Fig. 19 is a perspective view of a filler blade for use in connection with the mold blade shown in Fig. 18.

Fig. 20 is a perspective view port for the filler blade.

Fi 21 is a perspective view of a matrix for orming printers rules with multiple printin edges.

Like letters of reference in the several figuresindicate the same parts.

The mechanism illustrated is, as before stated, designed particularly for use in connection with a monotype casting machine, and in order that the relationship of the parts may be properly understood from the accompanying drawings, there is shown in Figs. 1 and 2 certain conventional parts of the monotype machine of the patent hereinbefore referred to, such parts being identified by reference numbers corresponding to the numbers found in the patent. In Fig. 1, which is a top plan view, there is seen the melting pot 184, the pump which may be of the supidentified by its operating lever 215, the

driving pulleys 373, the cam shafts 370 and 371 with their connecting gearing 372, cam 384 for operating the lever 246, for the cross blade and type carrier and cam 381 for operating the centering pin actuating lever 58, which lever is in the form of a bell crank pivotally mounted at its angle in a bracket on the main frame, as usual. The centering mechanism for the die carrier (with the exception of the lever 58) and the mechanism for moving the die carrier and for efi'ecting justification, has all been omitted, and in place of the usual mold, a moldhas been substituted in which the molten metal is given form and from which it is fed or ejectedin a direction toward the melting pot or in line' with the cross blade and typecarrier movement of the ordinary monotype machine.

The mold is indicated generally by the referencenumeral 1 in Figs. 1 and 2, and it is clampedfimly in place on the frame of the machine by clamps 2 of any suitable character. The location corresponds to the location of the mold in the monotypemachine, and it is adapted to receive molten metal from a nozzle which is controlled by the pump mechanism," as heretofore.

For convenience and accuracy of construction the mold is preferably a built-up structure and embodies a mold base 3 formed with a channel therethrough in the direction of the movement of the mold blade, thus providin front and rear upwardly extending portions 4 which are connected across the top of the mold by tie bars 5. There are suitable cotiperating shoulders and connecting screws and the shoulders are preferably formed by grooves 6 in the mold base in which projections 7 on the tie bars seat, whereby an exceedingly ri 'd structure is formed and one capable 0% being finished with a high degree of accuracy by known economical shop methods. Confined within the channel extending through the mold base are the type blocks between which the cavity for the reception of the molten metal is formed, and these type blocks are preferably in the form of bars which extend out at each end of the mold base and are adapted for the reception, between such extended portions, of point blocks which will determine the width of the mold cavity and consequently the point size of the element being cast. The rear type block 8, Fig. 7, is preferably formed with a smooth inner face and constitutes one wall of the mold cavity as well as the wall of the passage in which the mold blade works, and of the exit opening through which the formed element is ejected. The front type block may be of similar construction and arranged to be placed in opposition thereto, but it is preferably formed in two sections 9 and 10 for convenience in manufacture, inasmuch asit is one of the objects of the present invention to provide at one side of the mold cavity a channel and exit opening through which air and a portion of the molten metal from the mold cavity may escape, in the form of a more or less spongy mass which, for convenience may be called a gate, lying atone side of the element and adapted to be subsequently severed therefrom. By reference to Fig. 6 it will be seen that the upper front type block 9 substantially corresponds in outline to the upper half of the rear type block 8 and the lower front type block 10 substantially corresponds in outline to the lower half of the rear type block 8, while between the two sections is formed'a narrow space 11, and this space widens out within the type block in the form of a channel which is dove-tail or triangular in cross section, as indicated at 12. The said channel 12 and entrance slot 11 are preferably slightly tapered, or of increasing cross section toward the exit end of the block.

The blocks 8, 9 and 10 are'placed face to face in the mold base with the projections 13, 14, 15 and 16 in position against the ends of the mold base and sides of the tie bars respectively, as shown clearly inFig. 8, while between the projections there are placed point blocks 13, 14, 15, and 16 which are of a thickness corresponding to the point size of the element to be cast and thus define the width of the mold cavity.

' 11, to limit the sliding movement of the naaacie them the mold cavity, are positioned laterally of the mold base by a acking' plate" 17 in rear of the rear type bloc and by a pressure screw 18 passing through, the front projection 4 of the mold base and adapted to bear against'the front type block; This pressure screw in 'the preferred construction is operated periodically in time with the feeding of the element being cast, and

for this purpose it is conveniently provided with a lever end 19 (Fig. 2) which through connections to be presently described, is

adapted to be operated from the centering pin actuating lever 58, to clamp the sides of the mold cavity together during the casting operation and to release such pressure during the feeding of the element forwardly in the mold cavity.

The bottom of the mold cavity is formed by the mold base, and is provided with a nozzle opening 20 (Fig. 8) through which the molten metal is injected into the mold cavity from a nozzle 20 having its opening slightly inclined. The top of the mold cavity is formed by a matrix or member which gives shape to the upper face of the element bein cast, and where printers rules are to be orme'd, this matrix, indicated in the drawings at 21, is provided in its lower face with a groove 22 of proper cross sectional shape to give form to the printing edge of the rule, but it will be understood that one or. more of such grooves may be formed in the matrix, depending upon the character of the printing surface desired. As shown in the drawings, with the exception of Fig. 21 the matrix is provided with a single V-shaped groove, being designed to make a printers rule with a single narrow printing edge, but in Fig. 21 a matrix is illustrated in which a plurality of grooves 22* are provided for making multiple printing edges on the rule. In case printers leads are to be formed provision is-made whereby the height of the mold cavity will be correspondingly reduced as will be hereinafter described. v

The matrix 21 is adapted to seat against a matrix'abutment 23 mounted on the upper face .of the rear type block and it is positioned against such abutment by locating plate 24' resting on the front type block between the tie bars and having a pin 24?, Fig.

plate between the tie bars. The matrix is held firmly in position by a matrix clamp 25 havingtwo surfaces 25 for cooperation with one edge and the top of the matrix,

and an inclined surface 25" for cooperation with a corresponding inclined surface on the matrix abutment 23, whereby when the matrix clamp is forced down by its clamping screw 26 the matrix will be forced downwardly and against its abutment where it will be held with precision and in such relation to the type block as to prevent any liability of molten metal escaping through the joints.

The mold blade 27 is of a thickness which corresponds to the oint size of the element being cast and is a apted to reciprocate between the proximate faces of the type blocks from the forward position indicated in Fig. 8, where its front edge is just forward of the nozzle opening, to a position in rear of said nozzle opening which will determine the width of the cavity to be filled by molten metal. The movement of the mold blade is preferably so adjusted that when at the rear extreme of its movement its upper edge will register with the rear end of the groove in the matrix, although the range of movewill facilitate the fusion of the metal with the next increment injected into the mold cavity. It is for this reason that the upper portion" of the mold blade is curved rearwardly. to thereby form anoverhanging or inclined face at the rear edge of the congealed type metal along and against which the inflowing molten metal Wlll travel in filling the mold. The relation of this rear edge of the type metal to the incoming jet of molten metal will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 8 which shows the front end of the mold blade in its forward position, and consequently said front edge conforms to the shape of the rear edge of .the type metal which has been advanced by the forward movement of the mold blade.

Owing to this formation, the rear edge of.

I cated at or casting is always found to exist at a point considerably below the upper' edge and consequently the upper edge is perfect and solid so as to present a proper printing surface.

The provision of the transverse openin into the channel at one side of the mol cavity permits of the complete discharge of all air from the cavity and the making of a casting solid throughout. In practice the best results have been secured in the making of leads and rules when this opening extends clear along the side of the cavity, and is 10- slightly below the center of the cavity.

The metal which enters the channel and forms the gate is connected with the side of the element being cast by a very thin attachment, and it is preferably fed out of the channel simultaneously with the element to which it is attached. Such feeding movement of the gate is preferably effected by a gate pusher 28 conveniently operated directly by the mold blade, the connection between the gate Pusher 28 and mold blade being formed by a foot 29 onthe rear end of the pusher which enters a socket or opening 30 in the mold blade.

At its rear end the mold blade 27 enters the mold between upper and lower mold blade shoes 31 and 32, respectively, and its forward movement is arrested by a mold blade stop 33, extending into the usual opening in the mold blade and attached to the mold blade base by a screw 34. A mold blade stop of this character leaves the opposite side of the mold blade exposed for the attachment of the mold blade operating bar 35. The bar 35 at its forward end enters a recess 37 in the type block at the side of the mold blade, and is pivotally connected to the blade by a transverse stud or pin 36 (see .Fig. 15.) The rear or outer end of the mold blade operating bar is connected with the type carrier lever 246 through an adjustable connecting member 38 and spring box 39 embodying springs 39, whereby the movement of the blade may be arrested while the lever 246 makes its full movement.

Rearward movement of the mold blade is limited by a stop 40 having a shoulder against which the blade strikes, and the stop is adjustably clamped (as by set screws 40 passing through slots 40") to the pin block of the monotype machine. Its adjustment is effected by a set screw 41 adapted to bear against a stop 42' immovably clamped (as by screw 42) in position on the frame, all as shown clearly in Figs. 1 and 2.

The rule being cast issues from between the type blocks and passes through a friction clamp one member of which is a gate shear serving to detach the gate from the side of the element and to form a smooth face on the side should there be any roughness or projecting metal thereon.

By reference to Figs. 3, 4nd 5 it will be seen that in an extension of the mold base there is mounted a transverse clamp yoke 43' to one upturned end of which the gate shear 44 is secured, while opposed to the flat face of said gate shear is a friction block 45 advanced by spring pressure through the medium of a ring 46 located within a bore in the block 45 and adapted to be held up to its work by a plunger 47 forming the inner end of a friction clamp adjusting screw 48 passing through the end of the clamp 43.

opposite that to which the shear is secured (see Fig. 14 of the drawings). The gate .shear has its cutting edge 44 curved downwardly as shown in Fig. 5 whereby the gate will be sheared from the side of the casting, and the shear is located immediately over the melting pot 184, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, whereby the metal detached from the casting will drop directly into the melting pot and be again utilized in the making of further castings. The strip which is being cast passes over the melting pot and is received by any suitable receiver or, if so desired, immediately cut up into lengths to suit the printing form for which it is made.

Should lubrication of the mold cavity be desired it may be effected through a lubricant pocket and groove indicated in Fig. 6 at 49.

To best adapt the centering pin actuating lever 58 for operating the pressure screw 18 through its actuating lever 19, a casting is clamped to the forward end of the lever 58. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, this casting is provided with a forwardly projecting arm 50 to the end of which a connecting rod 51 is attached throu h connections which will permit of a yiel ing movement of the connecting rod when the actuating lever is depressed. This result may be attained by a connecting rod 51 which at its lower end is pivotally connected with the arm 19 of the screw 18 and at its upper end passes through an eye in the casting 50. A spring 52 surrounding the connecting rod 51 below the casting 50 serves as the medium whereby downward pressure may be imparted to the lever 19 and upward movement of the lever 19 is effected through the connecting rod itself, which is provided with an adjustable stop or nut 53 above the casting 50.

The casting 50 referred to is provided with an opening to fit the stud or projection 54 on the side of the lever 58 and with screws and thumb nuts 55 properly positioned to co operate with the actuating lever of the ordinary monotype machine.

Where. it is desired to cast elements for printers forms the upper edges of which are below the printing surface of the forms, as for example, ordinary low printers leads, this is accomplished by reducing the height of the mold cavity and providing a mold ed in posit on in the mold in the manner hereinbefore described in connection with aaaaarc blade 57 is provided whichin thickness corresponds to the thickness of the mold blade and this filler blade is held in place by a f support 59 (Fig. 20) which is in turn mountthe matrix. The filler blade may be made to form elements of the height of low quads and should shoulder high elements be desired a matrix block having a plane face" may be substituted for the matrix heretofore described.

With the construction described it be:

comes a comparatively simple and inexpensive matter to cast the elements for printers forms, such ,as'rules, and high and low leads,

etc., in continuous lengths .and to subse-.

quently sever the same into the desired lengths. I

The operation of the particular embodiment of the invention described is substan tially as follows:

Assuming that the mold blade has advanced, pushing before it the portion of the printers rule previously cast, and has retracted' or is in the act of retracting to leave a space between the end of the mold blade and rear'edge face vof the portion of the rule already cast, the pump mechanism comes into operation to bring the nozzle of the pump into the opening 20 and inject a quantity of molten metal sutficient to, fill the mold cavity and to force a portion of the molten metal together with the air previously in the cavity out into the channel at the side of-the cavity. In passing into the mold cavity the molten metal flows alonthe'edge face of the previously congealed metal of the rule and is deflected thereby so as to set up a swirling movement in the cavity. The-impingement and flow of the molten metal against and along the face of the congealed metal raises the heat of the latter to a point where fusion will take place and effects a perfect union of thetwo increments or portions of the metal.

The heat at which the mold operates is regulated by a cooling system such as is common in molds now employed in the monotype casting machines, as for example, by the circulation of a co'ohng medium through channels indicated at 60 in Fig. 9, and the temperature is preferably proper for effecting the rapid congealing of the molten metal as soon as the mold cavity is filled. Just beforeor during the time the metal is being injected and congealed in the mold cavity the actuating lever 58 is operated to set up the pressure screw on .the type blocks so as to clamp all of the parts tightly together and as soon as the metal is congealed this pressure is withdrawn by the reverse movement of the actuating lever 58 and the mold blade is immediately advanced to feed the casting forwardly.

These operations are re cated in succea sion until the desired lengt of rule has been cast and as the rule issues from between the clamps the gate at the side thereof is severed and drops down into the melting pot where it is melted for subsequent use.

A diagrammatic representation of the operation is found in Figs. 16 and 17 of the drawing, wherein the completed rule ,is indicated at 65, the severing of'the gate from r the side of the rule at 66, and the end-bf the I mold blade in its advanced position after having fed the rule forwardly, at 67. When the mold blade retracts to the position indicated in Fig. 17 it leaves a space 68 in which the subsequent casting is efiected, and this space, it will be understood, ma be regulated in size by the adjustment o the movement of the mold blade andby the introduction ofdiflerent point blocks and mold blades where the point size is to be changed, as well as b the substitution of difierent matrices or ller blades where the style of the printing surface is to be changed or where the printing surface is to be entirely eliminated and shoulder high or low ele ments formed. 1

By giving the forward end of the mold blade a curvature such as shown, any tendency of the metal to wedge up against the matrix is efiectually overcome.

Features disclosed herein but not specifically claimed, such as the method of forming elements of printing forms, both in increments fused together and in unfused sections cast successively in contact with each other, the filler blade which is substituted I for the matrix, and the mold blade with its pusher, are claimed in my contemporaneous applications Serial Nos. 88,334; 111,7 t1; 120,821; and 146,492.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim'as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United'States, is:

1. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printi'ng forms, embodying means for confining molten metal, in contact with a surface of a previously congealed portion of the element being cast whereby the two portions are caused to unite -by fusion, means for intermittently advancing the element with relation to the confining means as succeeding increments congeal, and means for forcibly injecting molten metal within the confining means to form' succeeding increments of the element.

2. apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying means for confining a body of molten metal in contact with a surface of a previously congealed portion of the element being cast, whereby the two portions are caused to unite by fusion, means for intermittently advancing the element as succeedmg increments congeal, means for intermittently 1n]ect1ng molten metal within the confinlng means, and means for directing the incoming metal along the face of the previously congealed portion of the element.

3. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal, means or advancing the metal toward the exit side of the cavlty to form a space in rear of the same, and means for injecting molten metal into such space.

4. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodylng a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity and a reciprocatory blade for advancing the congealed metal to form a space for the reception of a succeeding increment of molten metal.

An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity eing open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance .of molten metal, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a reciprocatory blade movable 1n the cavity for advancing the congealed metal, and means for injecting molten metal in the space left by the rearward movement of the blade.

6. An a paratus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a reciprocatory blade movable 1n the cavity for advancing the congealed metal, said blade having the upper edge of its end face located in a transverse plane in rear of the transverse plane of the lower edge of its end face, and means for injecting molten metal in Elie space left by the rearward movement of,-the blade.

,7. An a paratus for casting type metal elements or printing forms embodying a mold having a cavit in which the metal congeals, said cavity eing open at one side rearward movement of the blade.

' molten metal, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a reciprocatory blade movable in the g cavit for advancing the congealed metal, said lade having its end face extending upwardly and rearwardly, and means for injecting molten metal in the space left by the 8. An a paratus for casting type metal elements or printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a reciprocatory blade movable in the cavity for advancing the congealed 35 metal, said mold blade having the portion of its end face remote from the entrance opening inclined rearwardly, and means for injecting the molten metal in the space left by the rearward movement of the blade.

9. An apparatus for casting t pe metal elements for printing forms em odyirig a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said .cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal located at substantially right angles to the exit side of the cavity, means to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavitydn proximity to the entrance opening, a reciprocatory mold blade movable in the cavity for advancing the congealed metal to form a space for the entrance of molten metal, said mold blade normallyforming one wall of the cavity and having its end face extending substantially parallel with the axis of the entrance opening in that portion of the blade in proximity to the entrance opening and curving rear- Wardly in that portion of the blade remote from the entrance opening, whereby a corresponding form will begiven to the edge of the congealed metal, and the incoming molten metal will be deflected by the curved face of the congealed metal, and means for injecting molten metal into the space left by the rearward movement of the blade.

10. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for metal in position to form the wall of the cavity o POSltG the blade, and a removable member orming the top of the mold cavity.

11. An' apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a aeaacic mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one id for theexit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of molten metal, a b ade forming one wall of said cavity, means for retaining the congealed, metal mol having a cavity with an entrance opening or the molten metal and an opening for the escape of air and a portion of the metal from the cavity, and means for discharging the congealed metal from within the mold cavity, and means for discharging the congealed metal from the air escape opening.

13. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold having a cavity with an entrance opening for the molten metal and a vent opening for the escape of air and a portion of the metal from the cavity, said opening extending through the side wall of the cavity at a point remote from the endswherebv the air may escape from the central part of the cavity While the latter is being filled with molten metal, and means whereby the congealed metal may be discharged from the cavity and vent opening.

14. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms,,embodying a mold having a cavity in which the molten metal congeals, said cavity having an entrance opening -for molten metal and an elongated narrow opening for the escape of air and a portion of the metal from the cavity, means for severing and completely removing such metal from the metal congealed within the cavity, and means for clearing the air discharge opening of metal congealed therein.

15. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold forming a cavity for confining a body of molten metal while congealing to form the element, said mold having'an opening for the admission of molten metal, an elongated channel communicating wIth the mold cavity and into which air and a portion of the metal may escape fromthe mold cavity and congeal, and a pusher working in said channel to discharge themetal therefrom.

16. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold forming a. cavity for confining a body of molten metal while congealing to form the element, said mold having an opening for the admission of molten metal. a channel communicating with the mold cavity through an elongated reduced opening and 1 into which air and a; portion of the metal may escape from the mold cavity, and a pusher working in said channel to clear the same.

17. An apparatus for casting typemetal elements for printing 'forms, embodying a mold forming a cavity for confining a body of molten metal while congealing to form the element, said mold having an opening for the admission of molten metal, a channel communicating with the mold cavity and into which air and a portion of the metal may escape from the mold cavity, a pusher working in said channel to clear the same and means for severing the metal escaping into the channel from the element.

18. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold forming a cavity for confining a body of molten metal while congealing to form the element, said mold having an opening for the admission of molten metal, a channel communicating with the mold cavity through a reduced opening, and into which air and a portion of the metal may escape from the mold cavity, a pusher working in said channel to clear the same, and means for severing the metal escaping into the channel from the element.

19. An apparatus for casting type metal 7 elements for printing forms, embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and provided with an opening for the entrance of 'molten metal, and also having a channel extending parallel and communicating with the mold cavity, whereby a portion of the molten metal will enter said channel from the cavity, means for retaining the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the mold cavity and to close the exit of the channehmeans for feeding the congealed metal forward to leave a space for the en trance of a subsequent increment of molten metal, and means for injecting molten metal into said space.

20. A mold for casting type' metal elements for-printing forms, having a mold cavity provided with an opening for the admission ofmolten metal, one side of said .cavity being open for the exit of the metal congealed in the cavity, said mold also having a channel extending parallel with the mold cavity and communicating therewith through a narrow elongated opening through which .the air and a portion of the metal from the cavity may escape into the channel, and

at one side for the exit of the congealed metal, means for advancing the congealed metal toward the exits, means for retaining the congealed metal in the exits, and means for injecting molten metal into the space behind and in contact with the rear face of the congealed metal.

22. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a cavity in which the metal congeals, said cavity being open at one side for the exit of the congealed metal and also having a channel extending parallel and communicating with said cavity through a narrow opening, means for advancing the metal congealed in said cavity through the exit opening, means for clamping the congealed metal to retain the same 1n the exit opening to form one wall of the cavity, a cutter for severing the metal congealed in the channel from that congealed in the mold cavity, and means for injecting molten metal in the space in rear of the congealed metal.

23. A mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a base block, parallel independent type blocks mounted in the base block, a mold blade mounted to reciprocate between the type blocks, a fixed matrix forming one wall of the cavity in which the casting is formed, means for pressing the type blocks toward each other during the casting operation, and means to retain the congealed metal in position to form the wall of the cavity opposite that formed by the mold blade.

24:. In a mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms, the combination withthe base block having an opening therein for the entrance of molten metal, parallel type blocks mounted in said base'block to form the side walls of the mold cavity, a reciprocatory mold blade mounted between the type blocks to form one edge wall of the mold cavity and movable to advance the congealed metal into a position to form the opposite wall of the mold cavity, and means to support the congealed metal in such position.

25. In a mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms, a mold block having an opening therein for the entrance of molten metal, a pair of type blocks mounted in said base block and forming between them a channel with parallel walls, a mold blade working between said type blocks to form one wall of-the cavity in which the metal is given shape, the proximate faces of the type blocks beyond the mold blade forming an open passageway for the exit of the congealed metal, and'to retain said congealed metal in position to form the Wall of the cavity opposite the end of the mold blade, and a matrix forming the top wall of the mold cavity.

26. A mold for casting'type metal elements for printing forms embodying a base block, two type blocks mounted in said base block and having parallel proximate faces between which the casting is given shape, a mold blade mounted to reciprocate in.the space between said type blocks, a matrix, means for clamping said matrix on said type blocks above the mold blade, said base block havin'gan entrance opening for molten metal and the proximate faces of the type blocks being extended on the opposite side of said entrance opening from the mold blade, whereby metal congealed between the type blocks will be retained in position to form a wall of the mold cavity opposite the end of the mold blade, and means for limiting the reciprocatory movements of the mold blade.

27. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a base block, type blocks mounted in said base block and having parallel proximate faces extending beyond the cavity in'which the casting is given shape, whereby the congealed metal will be retained in position to form one wall of the cavity, means for feeding the congealed metal and means for injecting molten metal in the space left by the advance of the congealed metal.

28. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold having a base block, type blocks mounted in said base block and having parallel proximate faces extending beyond the cavity in which the molten metal is given shape whereby the congealed metal will be retained in position to form one wall of said cavity, a reciprocatory mold blade mounted between the type blocks for advancing the congealed metal, means'for limiting the reciprocatory movements of the mold blade, and means for injecting molten metal in the cavity left by the advance of the congealed metal and rearward movement of the mold blade.

29. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying parallel independent type blocks having projections thereon, point blocks mounted between corresponding projections on the type blocks to determine the point size of the element cast between the blocks, means for injecting molten metal between the blocks in contact with the rear face ofmetal previously injected and congealed, and means for advancing the congealed metal between the blocks.

30. In a mold for castingtype metal elements for printing forms, a base block having a channel extending therethrough, tie bars connecting the sides of said channel, type blocks mounted in 'said channel and having parallel proximate faces forming the side walls of the cavity for giving shape to the molten metal, said side walls extending beyond the mold cavity to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, and a mold blade mounted to reciprocate between said mold blocks for advancing the congealed metal.

31. In a mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms, a base block having a channel formed therethrough, tie bars connecting the side walls of said channel, type blocks mounted in parallelism in said channel and having projections at the ends of the base blockwhereby they are retained in position, point blocks mounted between the type blocks for determining the point size of the element being cast, the proximate faces of said type blocks being extended beyond the cavity in which the casting is given shape for retaining the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a reciprocatory mold blade forming the opposite wall of the cavity, and a matrix mounted on the type block for forming the top wall-of the mold cavity.

32. A mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold base, type blocks mounted in said mold base, and having parallel proximate faces forming between them the mold cavity, said faces extending beyond the mold cavity for retaining the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a mold blade working between the type blocks for advancing the congealed metal, and a friction clamp having yielding clamping members between which the congealed metal passes.

331 A mold for casting type metal elements for printing forms, embodying a mold base, type blocks mounted in said mold base and having substantially parallel proximate faces forming between them the mold cavity and extending beyond said cavity to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a mold blade for advancing the congealed metal between the type blocks, and a friction clamp having yielding friction members between which the congealed metal passes, and means for regulating the pressure of the friction members.

34. In an apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms, the combination with the melting pot in which the metal is melted, a pump for transferring the melted metal to a molding mechanism, and a molding mechanism embodying means for confining the molten metal while congealing, means for advancing the congealed metal over the melting pot, and means for severing a portion of the congealed metal, located immediately over the melting pot whereby'the severed metal is deposited in the melting pot to be remelted.

35. An apparatus for casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold provided with a cavity having parallel side walls, said side walls being extended beyond the cavity to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, a mold blade for advancing the corn gealed metal between said walls, a cutter bearing against one side of the metal issuing from between said walls, a spring for advancing said cutter with a yielding pressure and means for adjusting the tension of the spring.

36. An apparatusfor casting type metal elements for printing forms embodying a mold provided with type blocks having parallel proximate faces forming the side walls of the cavity in which the metal is congealed, said side walls extending beyond said cavity to retain the congealed metal in position to form one wall of the cavity, and one of said type blocks having therein a longitudinal channel communicating with the space between the type blocks by a narrow elongated opening.

37. A type block for casting apparatus of the character specified formed in longitudinal sections with a channel between said sections in communication with the face of the type block through an elongated narrow opening.

Amos L. KNIGHT.

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